6 out of 32GB taken up by OS, download purchases now linked to an online account.

Today's Nintendo Switch leaker apparently didn't have any game cards to show off (at least, not in this initial reveal video).

In case you want to sync up more Joy-Cons, Pro Controllers, or other options.

The "album" button brings this system message up if you haven't used the Switch's screenshot feature yet.

Switch however you please.

This screen was captured at a funny angle, but it explains exactly how to unlock and release Joy-Con controllers from the system's base.

To exit the Switch's "sleep" mode, tap the exact same button three times. This seems like a pretty clever solution to unlocking a portable device that might otherwise bump around in a messenger bag (or something equally large, since the Switch isn't quite pocket-sized).

25.9 GB available, apparently. You can add more memory with Micro SD cards of your own.

Nap time!

Update: In a follow-up unboxing video, hiphoptherobot shows a bit more of the system menus on the Switch, including an "Initialize Console" menu that contains an important note:

Your Nintendo Account contain your eShop purchase history and current balance. By re-linking your Nintendo Account after initializing the console, it will be possible to redownload any software or DLC purchased using that account. (Software that has been discontinued may not be available for redownload)

This is a major change from the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS, which link game purchases and downloads to a specific console rather than to an online account. That's a big problem if your console breaks down or if you want to access your games on another unit for any reason. While Nintendo support could help transfer system-specific game licenses in some of these cases, it looks like the "redownload on new hardware" problem will be largely fixed on the Switch.

That same menu also highlights an option to use a "Maintenance Mode" to reinitialize a Switch console without deleting save data, which could come in handy.

Meanwhile, another follow-up video shows additional user icons (including Metroid's Samus Aran, teasingly enough) and a bit of the new Mii Maker interface, which includes expanded options for facial expressions and default poses.

Original story:

Further Reading

When the press first got to try out the Nintendo Switch in New York City last month, Nintendo reps on hand were careful not to let anyone access the underlying system menus working behind the games on display. Today, though, an apparent video of that system software, and the initial setup for the console, has been posted to a message board by a user who says he's received early Switch hardware.

The short video, uploaded by NeoGAF user hiphoptherobot, goes through the basic setup process for the system using both the tablet touch screen and the (removable) Joy-Con controls. It also briefly cycles through the main menu for the system and examines some basic settings.

If the video is a fake, it's an extremely convincing one, complete with synced music and sound effects, a dummy system shell prototype (with controllers that appear to work), and faked pictures of the box as well. We're willing to believe that this is the real deal.

Among the interesting new tidbits we noticed in the video:

The system settings show 25.9GB of free space for the factory default system, suggesting that just over 6GB of the 32GB in built-in storage is taken up by system software. This can be expanded via microSD card.

After putting the system in "Sleep Mode," tapping the home button brings up a quick menu with a news feed sidebar and what appears to be a screen of the last app/game you were using (the menu, in this case).

To return from sleep mode, you have to tap a single button three times in a row. This should provide good protection against accidentally turning the system on while it's in a bag or pocket.

The screen brightness looks to be controlled by an analog touchscreen slider. This is a change from the DS/3DS and Wii U, each of which only had five discrete brightness levels accessible via the menu.

There are slots for eight separate users in the system software, each of which can have their own nickname and pre-set icon.

There are two default themes of "Basic Black" and "Basic White" to choose from in the base system. This leaves plenty of room for additional downloadable menu themes, such as the ones that are already quite popular on the 3DS.

The "News" section is already populated with Switch-centric tips such as "All about charging" and "Where do I put in the SD card." The eShop doesn't seem to be functional yet, though.

We're expecting to get our own Nintendo Switch in the Ars Orbiting HQ in the coming days, and we'll let you know our thoughts as soon as we can.

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Kyle Orland
Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in the Washington, DC area. Emailkyle.orland@arstechnica.com//Twitter@KyleOrl